Engineering
Engineering office hours are 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Note, however, that permits can be applied for and issued online while the engineering office is closed. If you need public works emergency response, please contact our 24-hour emergency numbers for natural gas (730-4100) or water/sewer/etc. (730-4000). For Street Maintenance related concerns, please contact 730-5100 and leave a detailed message or use the Resident Problem Reporter to report non-emergency issues.
The Engineering Division (Engineering) is part of the Public Works and Utilities Department in the City of Duluth. Engineering is responsible for overseeing design and construction of public projects located in and affecting the public right-of-way, including streets, bridges, driveway and alley access, traffic signals, and utility infrastructure.
Engineering establishes and ensures that design standards and construction specifications are observed. Engineering has a responsibility to the public at large to create and maintain a consistent and reliable utility and transportation system. This system is planned, designed, and constructed according to the latest design standards and Engineering ensures the infrastructure is constructed to the highest and most current standards.
Additionally, Engineering issues a variety of permits that affect the public infrastructure such as excavation in City right-of-way, driveway aprons, street and sidewalk obstruction, over-sized loads, new culverts, and sanitary sewer, water and gas main extensions and connections. The Construction Services & Inspections Division administers permits related to work performed on private property.
The Engineering Division is comprised of three sections: City Engineering, Transportation Engineering, and Utility Engineering. A Chief Engineer who has a staff of Senior Engineers, Project Engineers, Engineering Specialists, Engineering Technicians, GIS Technicians, Information Technicians, and/or operational personnel manages each section.
